Nearly 900,000 Syrians return home after Assad’s fall: VP Yilmaz
Syrians waving flags gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of the 61-year Baath regime, in Damascus, Syria on December 11, 2024. (AA Photo)
Türkiye’s Vice President Cevdet Yilmaz announced on Sunday that 873,000 Syrians have returned home since December 8, 2024, following the collapse of the Assad regime. He added, “Recently, the pace of returns has increased, 873,000 people overall have returned to their homeland. As Syria strengthens and its economy develops, these returns will accelerate.”
Yilmaz did not specify if the number he shared includes all returning Syrians from around the world. According to a statement from Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, Türkiye hosts 2.88 million Syrians by January 9, 2025. He had shared that 792,625 Syrians have returned to their homeland since 2017.
Based on these figures, Yilmaz statement mostly likely refers to all Syrians returning from countries including Türkiye, Jordan, Lebanon, and some European nations.
Yilmaz made the comments during the breaking-fast dinner “Vefa Iftari” program organized by the AK Party’s Cankaya District Presidency.
In his speech at the event, Yilmaz emphasized that Türkiye has advanced in every area over the past 22 years, from the economy and social policies to foreign relations, law, and international diplomacy. He noted that Türkiye has transitioned from a country entangled in internal struggles and under the control of tutelary mentalities to a leading, developing nation with a voice on the global stage.
“873,000 Syrians have returned”
Yilmaz noted that many Syrians who had been living in Türkiye would eventually return to their country voluntarily and honorably as conditions improve. He revealed that 873,000 Syrians have already returned to Syria. “As Syria becomes stronger and its economy develops, these returns will accelerate,” he stated.
Yilmaz also spoke about the significance of Türkiye’s ongoing process of becoming a terrorism-free country. He expressed his hope that this process will result in the dissolution of terrorist organizations and the laying down of weapons.
He emphasized that Türkiye has the strength, capacity, and willpower to continue its fight against terrorism. “In any case, Türkiye is fully equipped to combat terrorism. But we sincerely hope that this process ends with a terrorism-free Türkiye, where problems caused by terrorism are permanently resolved.”
“We are boosting production, employment, and exports”
Yilmaz underlined that the AK Party does not engage in polarizing rhetoric or conflict-driven politics. Instead, the government serves the nation with long-term policies that are consistent with the people’s history, values, and civilization.
He emphasized that the government operates with a planned and structured approach, particularly in the economic program. “This helps reduce uncertainties and improves the investment climate. We are increasing production, employment, and exports,” he said.
“We see inflation as the primary economic issue”
With a national income exceeding $1.3 trillion in 2024, Türkiye is the 17th largest economy in the world and 11th in terms of purchasing power. Yilmaz noted that the per capita income had increased to nearly $15,500 last year.
He went on to discuss Türkiye’s progress, saying, “As Türkiye’s debt burden decreases, risk premiums drop, industrial production strengthens, and employment rates rise.” He acknowledged that inflation is the country’s primary economic issue.
“What concerns our citizens is also our concern. What matters most to our people is our top priority. This is our mentality as the AK Party and the People’s Alliance. Therefore, our main priority right now is to reduce inflation. Since the middle of last summer, we have seen a downward trend in inflation. Last May, inflation peaked at 75%. With June, the disinflation process began. By February of this year, the inflation rate had dropped to 39%, and we saw it fall below 40%. In the upcoming period, you will see that inflation will continue to decrease gradually. We will continue this struggle resolutely. By the end of this year, we will see inflation in the 20s. Then, we aim for single-digit inflation in the medium term. We have achieved this before, and we will do so again, God willing.”
“The Century of Turkey Will Be the Century of Brotherhood”
Yilmaz emphasized that Türkiye is now a powerful actor in the world, with its influence particularly embodied in President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. He highlighted one of the most significant recent developments: Syria’s journey toward freedom after a long dictatorship, and the beginning of a new era in the country. “It is not easy. Syria will need to be rebuilt,” he said, adding that Syria faces numerous challenges and uncertainties.
He expressed his belief that, with Türkiye’s strong support, Syria will be rebuilt in a stable, powerful, and prosperous manner, embracing all Syrians, regardless of their sect, ethnicity, or religion.
Yilmaz concluded with a vision for the future: “We will carry Türkiye to the future, stronger than ever, with all 85 million of us. I firmly believe that we will succeed. The Century of Türkiye will be the era when imperialist games in our region are thwarted, and it will become the century of peace, unity, and solidarity. The Century of Türkiye will be the century of brotherhood and tranquility, God willing.”
